Cumberland Building Society expands B&B portfolio with £1m refinancing

The Cumberland Building Society has expanded its B&B portfolio, agreeing on a £1m refinancing deal with Grange Manor in Cumbria’s Grange-over-Sands.

The luxury boutique B&B recently reopened after a £750k redevelopment, seeing upgrades such as hot tubs and private gardens installed in five of the eight rooms. The redevelopment has been undertaken by owners Red Door Escapes, a new company and offshoot of the South Lakes Hotels group.

The over 200-year-old property is surrounded by woodland and is situated in two and a half acres of gardens, making it a real hit with nature lovers.

Research undertaken in the grounds of the property found 53 varieties of birds present, leading Margaret Denby, who owns Grange Manor and Red Door Escapes with her husband Jonathan, to name the guest rooms after a few of them.

Room names include Garden Warbler, Goldcrest, Tawny Owl and Brambling. Other birds identified in the gardens include Skylarks, Willow Warblers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Yellowhammers, Nuthatches, Swallows and Bullfinches.

Part of the funding has supported the development of staff accommodation at the site and will see the building of two new garden rooms for use as guest accommodation.

Margaret said: “Our mantra at Grange Manor is serenity and calm. Because we are located at the end of a quiet lane, disturbance from the outside world is minimal so it all makes for a perfect rural escape.”
Andy Gibson, Commercial Relationship Manager at The Cumberland Building Society said: “Margaret and Jonathan are incredibly well-respected within the hospitality industry in Cumbria and so we are delighted to be able to support them on their latest venture at Grange Manor.

“The serene environment of the property, along with their commitment to celebrating Cumbria’s beautiful wildlife and incorporating guest feedback to continually enhance its offering aligns perfectly with our values.”